The Tuam Martyrs, April 11, 1923

“No matter what the future may hold for the Irish nation, the seven years — 1916 to 1923 — must ever remain a period of absorbing interest. Not for over two hundred years has there been such a period of intense and sustained effort to regain the national sovereignty and independence.”

This weekend is a symbolically important one in Ireland, not least as it’s the commemorative weekend of the 1916 rising, but today (April 11th) also marks the 86th anniversary of the execution of the ‘Tuam Martyrs’ during the closing months of the Irish Civil War.

The Civil War began in June 1922 (although in April of the same year a group of 200 anti-Treaty Republicans had occupied the Four Courts in Dublin in defiance of the Provisional government). As with all civil wars, the conflict generated great bitterness and division, and has had long lasting political and social implications which have affected the Country right up to the present day.

In February 1923 Anti-Treatyite, Frank Cunnane, along with the other members of his unit were captured at Cluid, Headford, after a brief gunfight. One of Franks compatriots was killed while attempting to escape. The remaining men, including Frank, were marched to Galway.

On April 11, 1923, Frank, Michael Monaghan (also from Headford), Martin Moylan (from Annaghdown, Co. Galway) and John Maguire (from Cross, Co. Mayo) were executed in Tuam. Two further executions took place in Tuam on the same day – James (or John) Newell (from Galway) and James O’Malley (from Oughterard, Co. Galway).

One month later, on 24 May, 1923, Frank Aiken published the order of cease-fire and ordered the dumping of arms.De Valera also issued a statement to the Anti-Treaty army which said that:

“Further sacrifice on your part would be now in vain and continuance of the struggle in arms unwise in the national interest. Military victory must be allowed to rest for the moment with those who have destroyed the Republic.”

We’ve recounted the events which led to the executions of the men in a little more detail in an earlier blog post here. That earlier post was instigated by the discovery of a letter sent by Frank Cunnane to his mother on the eve of his execution which had been taped to the back of a shelving unit in a friend’s house in Headford. As a result of that post, we received correspondence from several relatives of Frank’s as well as other interested parties.

One of our readers, Alison Larkin, came across our blog while researching some mass cards she found among her Grandmothers things. She very kindly forwarded us copies of the series of Cards which relate to the Tuam Martyrs and others and which we have posted below to mark the anniversary of the executions. She theorizes that her grandmother may have been involved personally with one or was affiliated somehow with all ofthese men during the War of Independence– a relationship which landed her in jail without a trial after the Treaty, when the country was divided. She was about 18 years old when she was imprisoned.

Her grandmother was still a prisoner at Kilmainham when some of these men were executed. Alison thinks that she may have received some of the cards in a parcel as word that the executions had happened. Either that, or she attended mass for them when she got out. From what Alison can tell it was probably something that was grieved on in private and not at a public mass.

These individual items, small mementos of a deeply traumatic time in Ireland, put our current economic woes in perspective. The fact that Alison’s Grandmother treasured and kept the cards hints at the deep admiration she had for these men and the sacrifice they made. The deep rifts in our communities and families that remained after the Civil War and the pain the war inflicted imbue these objects with a deeper significance.

Alison’s Grandmother’s story is one which could be told in almost any household in Ireland. As far as I can ascertain, for instance, my own Grandfather was imprisoned in Kilmainham along with his future brother-in-law at the same time as Alison’s Grandmother. He allegedly met my Grandmother when delivering news of her brothers health after he was released. Who knows, perhaps he even knew Alison’s Grandmother.

These simple family stories exist at the cusp of living memory, a period in our shared history, the telling of which was glossed over or avoided by our forebears, principally because of the pain and, perhaps, the guilt.

Alison and her sister are making a trip to Ireland in June to revisit Kilmainham jail and to carry out research at the National Archives, as well as visiting their Grandmothers homestead. We wish them luck and hope that their research is fruitful.

The images below are scans of photocopies, so we’ve appended some of the text below the images. Some of the cards are directly relevant to the Tuam Martyrs – if anyone can clarify the identities and backstories of the remaining cards, I’m sure Alison would be very grateful.

Frank Cunnane: In Loving Memory of Commandant Frank Cunnane, Irish Republican Army, Who gave his life for Ireland on the 11th April, 1923, Aged 22 Years. Deeply Loved and Deeply Mourned.

The Tuam Martyrs, Pray for the Souls of Frank Cunnane, John Newell, James O'Malley, John Maguire, Michael Monaghan, Martin Moylan, who gave their lives for their country, at Military Barracks, Tuam, April 11th, 1923.

Martin Burke. In Proud and Loving Memory of Martin Burke (Captain I.R.A.) Who gave his life for his Country at Custume Barracks, Athlone, on January 20th, 1923, Aged 25 Years.

Thank you, Declan. What a beautiful article – thank you for this. My grandmother’s name was Maggie Langan. She grew up in Headford and I’m sure she would be very touched by this memorial.

I believe that she was proud of what she did for Ireland during the War of Independance, but never spoke of these dark times from the Irish Civil War. It is hard to understand how it all came to this horrible tragedy in Tuam.

I’d like to only add to your story that I have not yet discovered the real reason that my grandmother was jailed in Kilmainham. I only have my theories based on what was found with her things, and my own research of the time in history. Maggie Langan was accused by the Free State Army as being a “dangerous person” – but was never tried for any particular crime.

I have copies of letters written by Martin Burke and Stephen Joyce, the night before they were executed at Athlone. Martin wrote to his cousin, Kathleen Greaney, of Ballinapark Headford and Stephen wrote to his sister Julia. I haven’t figured out yet, where the Joyce family is from. The originals belong to my cousin in New York City. Another cousin also has another letter from Martin and I believe, one from Thomas Collins. Those letters are in Galway. I have not seen those yet. Please send me your e-mail and I’ll send you copies of Martin’s and Stephen’s.

my grandad was a an active member in Athlone prior to the civil war, he took part in dangerous operations in Athlone area which involved the supply and smuggling of messages as a bread delivery boy to republican prisoners in Custume Barracks … on the other side of the family of the same generation is the Cmdt od the 4th West Bde IRA. He organised countless flying column raids on crown forces and his bayonet is on display in the National Museum.

Tough times by all. I cant help but think that these aboce names were very fresh in their minds up unitl the days they died.

I am currently doing my masters thesis on the topic of the Tuam Workhouse where the six martyrs were executed. If anyone as any information at all that they feel would be useful to me in anyway, I would be delighted to hear from them.

My late mother was from Headford.One night she gave her new autograph book to one of a group of men who were sheltering in her home.As he could not think of a suitable verse he brought the book with him.That was the las she saw of the book until it arrived back by post without any explaination some three years later. Much to her surprise the book had been in Costume Barracks Athlone and Mountjoy prison Dublin where it was signed by Eamonn de Valera, Austin Stack, Liam Deasy, Dan Breen,Sean McBride and a visitor Richard Mulcahy.
In Athlone it was signed by An Athlone man who escaped, A Sligo man who quoted from the latin poet Horace and another Sligo man who was a budding artist and had his water colours with him as he painted some nice pictures in the book which is now in the museum in Millstreet Co. Cork. Incidedtially my mother was a cousin of the late Jerry Hoade, grandfather,of your co. counciller,who was a courier with the republican forces.

My Great Uncle was John Newell, one of the men executed in Tuam. I am researching my Grandfather’s family as he did not speak about his brother Sean (John) at all. Any assistance that anyone could provide on the movements and last days of Sean Newell would be greatly appreciated.

Ms. Larkin, I would like to know if you have discovered any reference to my uncle as your Grandmother knew many of the same individuals that Sean referenced.

It may be that the letter came via your father and ended up taped to the back of the dresser in our friend Johnny’s house! Do you know was your copy the original and have you any idea when it was passed on to the family?

My great-uncle was Mickey Monaghan. My cousins have a copy of the letter that he wrote to his mother the night before they were executed. If I can find a copy I will let you know. My grandmother was already in Chicago at the time, but Mike’s Brother John live until 1999.

As I saw a refernce to an Athlone man who was detained in Costume Barracks during the civil war I will give you one of the entries in my late mother’s autograph book.
Confide ye all in providence
For providence is kind
And bear ye all life’s changes
With a calm and tranquil mind. Liam P. Martin. 3, St. Mary’s Terrace . Athlone
escaped4th. May 1923. T.O. G. (Tomas O Gradaig Listowel)What was a Listowel man doing in the West of Ireland?
I havw=e been in touch with the military Archives in Cathal Brugha Barracks Rathmines Dublin 6and they hold a small collection of general material on civil war prisonersbut a person would want to make an appointment to see this material.

Ger, One of the men sheltering in my mothers home the night she lost her autograph book was a first cousin of my grandmother named Jerry Hoade who was a courier with the republican forces.In later life he had two sons named Frankie & Paddy, both now gone to their eternal reward. Frankie was given his fathers home where his family still live. His daughter is a member of Galway Co. Co. To day my wife said I could have next Thursday off so I have decided to go up to HEADFORD FOR THE DAY.Do you know if there is any relationship.

I was stunned to see your article on the Tuam executions. James O’Malley was my great uncle.
My aunts have been to Ireland and visited Tuam. It’s nice to know they are not forgotten in Ireland.
Thank You,
Bridget

Ger I have been racking my brains wondering who you are when suddenly it struck me.You must be a son of Jarlath Hoade.I am editing some old photographs at the present time.One of them is of the Hoade re-union after 41 years at Cahernaheenagh and the other one is a photo of my grandparents wedding taken in 1903.The three Curran sisters are in it,Catherine,the eldest married Martin Hackett who died shortlyafter leaving her and her daughter extremely well off.She then married Henry ffrench Lynch of Rockwell House KilconleyShe had 4 further children. The second sister was Jerry Hoade’s mother.The third sister Julie never got married.I have been in touch with the military archives and I found that a Thomas O’Grady of Bishop St. Tuam had a lot of entries in My late mother’s autograph book.Please feel free to contact me leoryan1@eircom.net and we might exchange family info.

Executed — Six County Galway Men Suffered Death Penalty — Natives of Headford — Confined in Galway Jail until Tuesday
Connacht Tribune, Tuesday April 14, 1923.

Introduction
Our Tuam correspondent telegraphs: six men were executed in Tuam Military Barracks on Wednesday morning at eight o clock. They were taken out in two batches of three each. Their bodies were subsequently interred in the barrack grounds.

The condemned men were taken from Galway jail yesterday, where they had been detained for some months after having being captured with arms in their possession. They were nearly all from the Headford district.

Our Tuam correspondent writes: On Wednesday morning at about eight o’clock, six men were executed in Tuam military barracks.

They were taken from Galway gaol on the evening before, after having been tried and found guilty of having arms in their possession when arrested by national troops about two months ago in the Headford area. Five of the men were natives of the Headford district, the condemned men, it is stated, went to their doom firmly and with brave hearts. They had been attended during the night by two of the towns priests. And in the morning heard Mass, in which two of them served. The priests were with them to the last.

The news of execution cast a gloom over the people, who could hardly realise what awful events had taken place in their midst that morning. About eight o clock a.m. two voleys were heard and it is stated the condemned men were taken out in parties of three each, and blindfolded, and their hands joined as in prayer. They had prayed fercently during the night before, and in the morning and were fully consoled, prepared to meet their creator.

The six bodies enclosed in six coffins, were interred, in the grounds within the barracks, and it is stated that the ground was consecrated.

No, official information of the executions would be supplied to the press:

The following official report giving the names of the executed men was issued on Wednesday night from G.H.Q.:

James O’Malley, Oughterard, was charged before a military tribunal of having a rifle and ammunition in his possession without proper authority, at Knocklahard: County Galway, on 21st February, 1923.

Francis Cunnane, Kilcoona, Headford, was charged before military tribunal with having in possession a rifle and ammunition at Cluide on 21st February, 1923, without proper authority. Michael Monaghan, Clooneen, Headford, was charged before a military tribunal of having possession of a rifle and ammunition at Cluide on 21st February, 1923, without proper authority.

John Newell, Wineforth, Headford, was charged before a military tribunal with having possession of a rifle and ammunition at Cluide on 21st February, 1923, without proper authority.

John McGuire: Cross, Cong was charged before a military tribunal with having possession of a rifle and ammunition at Cluide on 21st February, 1923, without proper authority. Martin Moylan: Farmerstown, Annaghdown, was charged before a military tribunal with having possession of a rifle and ammunition at Cluide on February 21st, 1923, without proper authority.

All six prisoners were found guilty. The findings were confirmed in each case, and the prisoners were sentenced to death. The executions were duly carried out at Tuam.

To Ger: I also have what I always thought was an original copy of Frank Cunnane’s letter to his mother. I just posted a rather lengthy comment on this on the original page devoted to the letter. Obviously, as I am looking at the letter right now it can’t be the same one that was discovered in John Monaghan’s cabinet. My thought is that some of Cunnane’s comrades may have copied the letter by hand for their own posterity. (My grandfather, Peter Dooley, was also from Kilcoona and served with Cunnane in the Second Battalian of the First Galway Brigade.) Perhaps this explains the provenance of the letter your father had, or of course his letter may be the one that ended up in the cabinet.

Is there anyone here who can relate the basic details of a death by shooting which took place in Kilkeel, Headford; perhaps during the Civil War? The victim was in some way connected with the old Kyne cottage that had once been standing across from the Collins cottage, but he had then run past the John and Mary Kyne cottage – and down that boreen about a hundred yards, where he was killed. My mother once wrote a poem about him, the only one I ever saw her write, as she was the daughter of John and Mary. Mom wasn’t quite sure of all the details, or how old she was at the time

Hi. I’m from the area and I’m very interested to know where did Frank Cunnane live in Kilcoona? Where was his mothers house? I went to school in both Kilcoona and PCH and I never heard this story. Where did he teach? I’d love to know more about him.

Hi kilcoona history,
I think (not sure) but frank lived in the old teachers house next to the old national school in Kilcoona.
I don’t know if this is where he was brought up, or whether he moved there as a teacher.

John Maguire was brother to Cmdt Gen Tom Maguire who married Christina Feeney, sister of Padraig, who died at Tourmakeady. Christina and Padraig were siblings to my great-grandfather and my Papa Pat was apparently named after Padraig.

John Maguire was brother to Cmdt Gen Tom Maguire who married Christina Feeney, sister of Padraig, who died at Tourmakeady. Christina and Padraig were siblings to my great-grandfather and my Papa Pat was apparently named after Padraig.
I’m interested to learn of any new information, as I live in the States.
Also, my maternal side of the family are McTigues from the Breaffy area…
Eric

this is so very interesting. My uncle was Michael Monaghan. He was my grandmother’s brother and she always spoke of him. The letter he wrote his mother before he died was framed and in the parlor of the thatched cottage in Clooneen, Headford, until the time my other Uncle, John Monaghan died. What these men and women did for their country is so unbelievable.

Hi,
My name is Anne Heffernan, Derrygarron, Portlaoise, Co. Laois.
My mam Josie Finlay was a sister of Tom Hughes Bogginfin, Athlone.
Tom and his four comrades was executed in Custume Barracks Athlone 20th January 1923.
Martin Burke. Caherlistrane, Stephen Joyce Derrymore, Caherlistanr, Michael Walsh,
Derrymore Caherlistran, and Hubert Collins, Kicleen Headford.
It says in a book called Seventy- Seven of Mine Said Ireland that Tom was captured in Currahan on 20 Dec.1922. Do any of you know where Currahan is please.
We the extended Hughes Family are having a Gathering in The Sheraton Hotel Athlone on
Sat 11th April. to remember Tom and his friends. If any of the above familys are interested
we would love to meet you.
Anne.

[…] must be allowed to rest for the moment with those who have destroyed the Republic.” . . . The Tuam Martyrs, April 11, 1923 – Moore Group Thereafter, DeV and the RCC pacted together to get control of the new FS to create their 'Gael […]

My Grandmother . Una Garvey of Kilroe Cottage Headford , Co Galway was a member of Cumann na mBan . She married my Grandfather . Michael Colivet who was a TD in the Ist Dail for Limerick . Michael Colivet was an Commandentvof the IRA in Limerick in 1916 He shared a cell in Lincoln jail with Eamon De Valera . They remained close friends for life . Michael Colivet was Anti Treaty and Minister for Finance In de Valeras provisional government . He refused to join Fianna Fáil because he could never reconcile himself with the treaty . Their daughter Una Colivet was George Colleys private secretary . Their son Brian was CEO of fbd Insurance from when it’s commenced in the 1970’s up to his retirement in 1995 . Both Brian and Una are living in Co Kildare . I notice that that the Tuam Martyrs were executed for being anti treaty and Patrick Garvey was executed in the war of independence . Its probably just a coincidence burb Maybe my Grandfathers anti testy views was influenced by his wife i

Michael , Unas relations here. Dad said to let you know that her house is still very much lived in and Dad has some great memories to share with ye of Patrick ( who died of natural causes) and of Una from his relations

Michael and Ger,
My grandmother was Una Kidger who was Patrick Garvey’s granddaughter from his daughter Nora.

My Grandma told a story of her family moving back to Headford at some point in her childhood but it didn’t work out for them and they moved back to England. I’m guessing Nora bringing back an Englishman might not have proved very popular.

Would like to find out more about Martin Moylan. I think he may have been my grandmother’s brother. Her name was Ellen Moylan from Galway. Her parents were John and Honora from Farmerstown, maybe.
Thanks
Beth

John(Sean) Newell was my great uncle. I have the letter he wrote to his mother the night before he was executed. I also have his brother Toms letter. I am trying to get in touch with John Newell in California so I can share this. I know he posted here many years ago.
Please contact meTomsaladman@yahoo.com

I am writing the story of my father Paddy Hokan.
Paddy Hokan returned to Castlebar from the 1st. W.W. towards the end of 1918. Having been discharged from Hospital wounded 3 times and awarded the Military Medal, he saw action in France & Italy from 1915 to 1918.
As his other 3 brothers were involved with the Volunteers, he was approached by the O/C of the Castlebar Volunteers to act as Training Officer of the local Company. He subsequently, acted in this capacity for some period without the knowledge of the British, in 1920 he was appointed 1st. Lieutenant. Castlebar A. Company I.R.A. in 1921 he was appointed Captain of Castlebar No 2 Company, set up after the Truce. However, he eventually had to go on the run and joined the Active Service Unit of the West Mayo Brigade, becoming a member of the Command Staff as Signals Director. He was involved in action during the Civil War in Clifden, Newport and generally around the west of Mayo.
I am writing his story, which I also wish to include all the Men & Women from the Castlebar wider Area who were involved in the different conflicts.
I would like to include as many as possibly who are not recorded, due to various factors, like returned soldiers in British Army who were ignored and found it hard to get work, unlike him, as his father had a plumbing business with the contract for the maintenance of the various Military Barracks in Castlebar, employing some men.
I mostly would like to include Volunteers on both sides of the Civil War, and any R.I.C police men who may have a story to tell, I do have extensive records and would be prepared to share any information with anyone who’s interested.
Direct inquiries to Edward Horkan at